£150M housing and retail development in Aberdeenshire takes shape

Significant progress has been made for £150M housing and retail development at Blackdog, Aberdeenshire.

Proposals for a £150M housing and retail development in Blackdog, Aberdeenshire, have made significant progress despite concerns that the scheme could hurt the surrounding areas.

A total of 550 new homes, including 150 affordable homes are planned for Blackdog, including a town centre that would include a six-screen cinema, hotel, shops and a regional food hall.

Following feedback from the local community, plans to build a new primary school that would also serve as a community hub has now been re-introduced.

An independent retail analysis earlier this year by Hargest Planning Ltd suggested than such a large development could hit traders in the surrounding north-east towns and cities like Aberdeen, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Inverurie and Peterhead.

Aberdeenshire Council’s planners say that the proposals for Blackdog would not “adversely impact” trade across the rest of the north-east.

Two applications have been submitted by Ashfield Land and Kirkwood Homes, with officers now urging that they should be given planning permission.

They believe the project will create significant new jobs for local people including 1,200 during construction and 1,500 full time jobs longer term, once it is complete.

Speaking on behalf of the Blackdog partners, Steven McGarva of Ashfield Land said: “Our plans for Blackdog will deliver substantial benefits for people living in Aberdeenshire and beyond.

“Its prime gateway location takes advantage of the new Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and will help to consolidate Aberdeenshire as one of the world’s major energy centres, complementing the Energetica Corridor strategy, while ensuring that key areas of diversification in food and drink, tourism and life science are also considered and catered for.

“I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation process. We’ve listened and responded by implementing a number of changes to the configuration of the development which I’m confident will offer a wide range of opportunities for local people.”

The Ministry of Defence has raised concerns that the development is too close to its rifle range and would create a “sensitive environment” not suited to its “live firing and demolitions” activities.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee has recommended that the proposals should be green-lit. The planning applications will be discussed at a full council meeting next month.

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